Living beings often experience negative emotions, which can generate a destructive power known as cursed energy. This energy forms the foundation of the entire power system in Jujutsu Kaisen.
Cursed Energy and Cursed spirits
When cursed energy accumulates in certain areas, it can create a semi-conscious being called a cursed spirit. These entities, made entirely of cursed energy, are usually hostile toward humans. Cursed spirits often manifest in places like prisons or cemeteries, where negative emotions such as regret or hatred are common.
How do sorcerers use cursed energy?
Sorcerers, on the other hand, have the ability to control their cursed energy, preventing it from leaking. Even when they experience emotions, they maintain a steady output of cursed energy. Sorcerers can refine this control through training, such as watching movies while keeping their energy flow constant, as Yuji demonstrates during his training with Satoru Gojo in chapter 13.
Cursed energy exists on a spectrum of light that most humans cannot perceive, and even fewer possess the ability to exorcise cursed spirits. Sorcerers exorcise these spirits by mastering their cursed energy, using it as a weapon against them.
Cursed Energy Flow
Sorcerers have a flow of cursed energy in their body. As they move, it’s important to align their movements with this flow. This is extremely difficult and relies on intuition. It’s also the key to performing a Black Flash, a physical attack that deals significantly more damage. A Black Flash occurs when the sorcerer is in sync with their cursed energy. Because this task is so intuitive, no one has been shown to consciously use Black Flash at will.
Applications of Cursed Energy
Non-Techniques
Sorcerers can use cursed energy in a basic way to boost their physical abilities, without any special techniques. It strengthens their power, speed, durability, and stamina. For example, Yuta, despite not being physically strong, uses his massive cursed energy to surpass Yuji’s natural abilities, whose focus is on physical stats.
Cursed Techniques
Cursed techniques are special powers fueled by cursed energy. Each technique is unique to its user and may control elements, shadows, or other things. These techniques fall into two categories: learnable and non-learnable techniques. Non-learnable techniques include innate and inherited techniques. Innate techniques develop in childhood and are determined at birth, while inherited techniques pass down through bloodlines, as seen in the Gojo, Kamo, Inumaki, and Zenin clans. The sorcerer’s brain structure also links to these techniques.
On the other hand, learned techniques, though generally weaker, focus on defense. Sorcerers can master them with time and practice. Examples include simple domains and other barrier techniques.
Reverse Cursed Energy
Cursed energy is negative and destructive, but reverse cursed energy is positive. Sorcerers use it to heal injuries and improve health. They can heal themselves or others and even restore cursed techniques that have run out. However, it is risky and can damage the brain. The process works like math: multiplying two negatives creates a positive, so the sorcerer must combine cursed energy in a way that produces a healing effect. Only elite sorcerers can do this.
Reverse cursed energy can also create new techniques that work as the opposite of existing ones. For example, Gojo’s Cursed Technique Reversal: Red does the opposite of his Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue. Instead of attracting targets like Blue, Red repels them, powered by reverse cursed energy.
Domain expansions
Domain Expansions stand as the highest form of jujutsu sorcery, representing a sorcerer’s most powerful technique. When used, the sorcerer creates an enclosed space filled with their cursed energy and personal technique. This space, often shaped like a barrier, gives the sorcerer complete control over everything inside, greatly enhancing their powers.
Inside this domain, the sorcerer’s attacks are unavoidable, ensuring that any strike lands successfully. To initiate a Domain Expansion, the sorcerer uses a specific hand sign or signal, and the barrier that forms can vary, sometimes aiming to kill and other times serving a less harmful purpose, depending on their skills and intent. However, using this ability demands a large amount of cursed energy and precise mastery, making it a rare but powerful technique for any jujutsu sorcerer.
Maximum techniques
Maximum Techniques are the highest level of a sorcerer’s Cursed Technique. These moves use Cursed Energy at its fullest, creating powerful attacks. Characters like Suguru Geto and Jogo show how dangerous these techniques can be. For example, Geto’s Maximum: Uzumaki combines many Cursed Spirits into a huge energy blast, while Jogo’s Maximum: Meteor brings down a meteor to crush enemies. These techniques are second only to Domain Expansions in strength, making them a strong weapon for any sorcerer.
